Top 10 Boxing Coaches
Behind every great boxer is a coach who helped them hone their skills and reach their potential. Here, we will look at ten of the greatest boxing coaches, examining their coaching philosophies and unique techniques. Whether you’re a boxing fan or just interested in boxing trivia, this list is sure to give you a new appreciation of the sport.
1. Cus D’Amato
Cus D'Amato was an American boxing trainer, manager and promoter, known for his work with fighters like Mike Tyson, José Torres and Floyd Patterson. He was a pioneer in the sport and his influence is still felt today. D'Amato was known for his unorthodox training methods and his ability to discover and develop young talent. He was a strict disciplinarian, and he had a reputation for being one of the most demanding trainers in the sport. He had a strong emphasis on defense and conditioning, which he believed was the key to success in the ring. He also developed the peek-a-boo style of defense which Angelo Dundee used to teach many of his fighters.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Cus D'Amato's coaching philosophy was centred on discipline, defence, and relentless training. He believed that the key to success in the ring was a strong defence, and he focused on developing this in his fighters through intense conditioning and drill work. He also believed in the importance of mental and psychological preparation, and he instilled a fierce determination and will to win in his fighters. D'Amato was known for his unorthodox training methods, which included heavy bag work, focus mitt drills, and sparring with multiple partners. He also believed in the importance of developing a fighter's character and instilled strong values of self-discipline, respect and humility in his fighters.
What unique technique did they teach?
Cus D'Amato is particularly known for developing the "peek-a-boo" style of defence, which focused on protecting the head and face by holding the gloves high and tight to the cheeks. This technique was designed to make it difficult for opponents to land punches to the head, while also allowing the fighter to counter with punches of their own. It was characterized by a crouched stance, with the chin tucked down and the forearms held close to the face.
2. Angelo Dundee
Angelo Dundee was a famous American boxing trainer and cornerman who worked with 15 world champion boxers, including Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. He was known for his ability to motivate and prepare fighters for big fights, and for his calm demeanour in the corner during fights.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Angelo Dundee's coaching philosophy was centered around the idea of "never panic." He believed in staying calm in the corner during a fight and focusing on making small adjustments to help his fighters improve. He was also known for his ability to motivate fighters and to help them believe in themselves. Dundee was a master at adjusting his fighters strategy based on their opponent's weakness and he had a great timing to give instructions or encouragement to his fighters during a fight. He also believed in working with fighters from the earliest stages of their careers to help them develop their skills and build confidence.
What unique technique did they teach?
Angelo Dundee was known for teaching a number of specific techniques to his fighters, but one that he is particularly associated with is the "anchor punch." This technique involves leaning back to avoid a punch and countering with the rear hand, adding power to punches while also maintaining balance. He taught this technique to many of his fighters including Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, who both used it to great effect in the ring.
3. Ray Arcel
Ray Arcel was an American professional boxing trainer and manager who had a career spanning over 70 years. He trained and managed many world champion boxers, including Roberto Durán, Benny Leonard, Jimmy McLarnin, Barney Ross, Tony Zale, Ezzard Charles and many others. He was known for his ability to spot and develop young talent, and for his ability to work with fighters of different styles and backgrounds. He was also known for his ability to adjust to changes in the sport and to stay relevant over a long period of time.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Ray Arcel's coaching philosophy was that every individual was different and that it was the responsibility of the coach to understand the individual boxer. He aimed to build the individual boxer along the lines where they could face a problem, and be mentally alert to be able to do their job. He is remembered by his boxers for teaching not only boxing but the true values of life, as their trainer, father figure, psychologist, teacher, friend, and mentor.
What unique technique did they teach?
Ray Arcel was known for teaching a number of specific techniques to his fighters, but one that he is particularly associated with is the "outside fighting" style. This technique involves fighting from the outside, using the ring to move and create distance between the fighter and the opponent, while taking advantage of the fighter's reach and mobility to land punches and avoid getting hit. This style was particularly effective for fighters with longer reach, who would use their jab and footwork to control the distance and the pace of the fight. He taught this technique to many of his fighters, including Roberto Durán, who became one of the most successful practitioners of the outside fighting style.
4. Roger Mayweather
Roger Mayweather was an American professional boxer and trainer, who was also a former two-weight world champion. He is best known for his work as a trainer, having trained his nephew, Floyd Mayweather Jr., who went on to become one of the greatest boxers of all time. Roger Mayweather was known for his work ethic, his technical knowledge of the sport and his ability to develop fighters from the ground up.
What was their coaching philosophy?
One of the main features of Roger Mayweather's coaching philosophy was his emphasis on patterns of punches. He believed that by teaching his fighters to throw punches in specific sequences, they would be able to land more punches and confuse their opponents. He would spend hours working with his fighters on different punch combinations, and he would often have them drill these punch combinations on the focus mitts. He believed that by mastering these combinations, his fighters would be able to land punches more effectively and would also be able to anticipate their opponents' movements and counter more effectively. This approach is known for its emphasis on efficiency and accuracy in the ring.
What unique technique did they teach?
Roger Mayweather was known for teaching a number of specific techniques to his fighters, but one that he is particularly associated with is the "shoulder roll" defence. This technique involves using the shoulder to block punches, and following up with counter punches. This style of defence is characterized by keeping the lead shoulder high and tight to the cheek, while using the rear hand to parry punches and counter. This style is considered a high-risk, high-reward technique, as it can be very effective in blocking punches but also leaves the fighter open to counter punches. He taught this technique to his nephew, Floyd Mayweather Jr., who became one of the most successful practitioners of the shoulder roll defence and used it throughout his career.
5. Freddie Roach
Freddie Roach is an American professional boxing trainer and former professional boxer. He has trained numerous world champion boxers, including Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, and Amir Khan. He is known for his ability to work with fighters of different styles and backgrounds, and for his ability to help fighters improve their skills and achieve success in the ring. Roach is considered one of the best trainers in the sport and has won multiple awards and accolades throughout his career. He is currently the head trainer of Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Freddie Roach's coaching philosophy is centred on the idea of hard work, discipline and attention to detail. Like many successful trainers, he believes in the importance of developing a strong work ethic in his fighters and emphasizes the importance of putting in the hours of training. He is known for his intense training regimens, which include a lot of heavy bag work, mitt work, and sparring. He also places a great emphasis on technical proficiency, working tirelessly to help his fighters perfect the fundamentals of boxing. He is known for his ability to adjust to the individual needs of his fighters, tailoring his training to the strengths and weaknesses of each boxer.
He also places a great importance on the mental preparation of fighters. Roach has spoken about how he works to develop a fighter's confidence and focus, helping them to believe in themselves and to stay composed in the ring. He also has a reputation for being able to identify and exploit an opponent's weaknesses, which he communicates to his fighters to help them make adjustments during the fight.
What unique technique did they teach?
Freddie Roach is known for teaching both the basics and advanced techniques. Rather than have his boxers study footage of fighters and imitate their style, he believed in the style of his own boxers. He himself would study fight footage in order to imitate the weaknesses if the opponent during his mittwork. He is known for his ability to teach southpaws, such as Manny Pacquiao, to use their unorthodox stance to their advantage, and for his ability to help them develop the ability to counter and evade punches from conventional fighters.
6. Emanuel Steward
Emanuel Steward was an American professional boxing trainer and commentator, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest trainers in the sport's history. He was the founder and head trainer of the Kronk Gym in Detroit, Michigan, where he trained numerous world champion boxers including Tommy Hearns, Lennox Lewis, and Wladimir Klitschko. He was known for his ability to work with fighters of different styles and backgrounds, and for his ability to help fighters improve their skills and achieve success in the ring.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Emanuel Steward was known for his coaching philosophy of withering work in the ring. He always stressed the fundamental basics, which included good balance and working behind a solid jab. He believed in getting to know each individual boxer and their mental makeup, rather than taking one fighting style and using it with every boxer. He began clinics to pass on the valuable lessons he learned from his years of experience in around the ring to those truly interested in the sport.
What unique technique did they teach?
Emanuel Steward was known for teaching boxers to place the jabbing hand slightly in front of the non-jabbing hand, and to hold the non-jabbing hand in front of the chin as opposed to the side of the head. His boxers were usually tall and aggressive, throwing straight lead punches and they go for the knockout.
7. Teddy Atlas
Teddy Atlas is an American professional boxing trainer and commentator, who has had a long and successful career in the sport of boxing. His coaching career started as an assistant to Cus D’amato, and in 1980 Teddy trained the Sweden Olympic Boxing Team for the 1980 Summer Olympics. He has trained many world champion boxers including Mike Tyson, Michael Moorer, and Shannon Briggs. He is also a respected commentator, providing expert analysis on major fights for various television networks and platforms. He is currently a commentator for ESPN.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Teddy Atlas believes that success in boxing is more mental than physical, as it is in life. This means being able to handle pressure, control the imagination and emotions, and be calm. While a fight is definitely not a calm environment, remaining mentally calm brings presence and the ability to perform to one’s potential.
What unique technique did they teach?
Teddy Atlas is known for teaching a variety of techniques to his fighters. He places a strong emphasis on the fundamentals of boxing, such as proper footwork, head movement, and hand positioning. He also emphasizes the importance of defence, and encourages his fighters to develop a good guard and to use their defensive skills to set up counterpunches. Additionally, he focuses on teaching his fighters how to throw combinations of punches, and how to work the body to slow down opponents. He also emphasizes the importance of the jab, and its role in setting up power shots. His manner of delivering techniques teaches as much about life as it does about boxing.
8. Eddie Futch
Eddie Futch was an American professional boxing trainer and cutman, who had a career spanning over 60 years. He was considered one of the greatest trainers in the sport's history and trained many world champion boxers including Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, and Riddick Bowe. He was known for his ability to work with fighters of different styles and backgrounds, and for his ability to help fighters improve their skills and achieve success in the ring. He was also known for his ability to adjust to changes in the sport and to stay relevant over a long period of time.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Eddie Futch believed in non-negotiable, clear and unwavering expectations. He did not believe in allowing his gym to become a recreational centre where boxers come and go as they please, but in giving boxers a strict routine.
What unique technique did they teach?
Eddie Futch taught his fighters to defend against the jab. For example, he taught Joe Frazier to nullify the opponent’s jab with head movement that had no rhythm. He also taught his fighters to position the rear hand in front of the jaw, the way Joe Louis did, so as to parry the opponent's jab. He also taught his fighters to jab with the opponent.
9. Ignacio Beristain
Ignacio Beristain, also known as "Nacho" Beristain, is a Mexican professional boxing trainer who has been active in the sport for over 50 years. He is considered one of the best trainers in the sport, and has trained many world champion boxers including Juan Manuel Márquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar de la Hoya, and Julio César Chávez. He is known for his ability to work with fighters of different styles and backgrounds, and for his ability to help fighters improve their skills and achieve success in the ring. He is also known for his ability to adjust to changes in the sport and to stay relevant over a long period of time. Beristain is considered a legend in the sport of boxing in Mexico, where he is respected and admired by many.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Ignacio Beristain's philosophy was simply to have a great work ethic. He aimed to be an example to his fighters in this regard.
What unique technique did they teach?
Ignacio Beristain earned a reputation for developing fighters with advanced technical prowess, and typically taught combination punches that ended with an uppercut. He also taught his fighters to have a good guard, so much so that the guard he taught was recognizable. Many of his fighters plant their rear glove on the lower front part of the cheek, while their lead hand is held up at an extended distance, often swaying rhythmically. They hold this guard with their chin tucked while circling and controlling the ring in perfect balance.
10. Lou Duva
Lou Duva was an American professional boxing trainer and manager who had a career spanning over 70 years. He was considered one of the most successful and respected trainers in the sport's history and trained many world champion boxers including Pernell Whitaker, Lennox Lewis, Meldrick Taylor, and Evander Holyfield. He was known for his ability to work with fighters of different styles and backgrounds, and for his ability to help fighters improve their skills and achieve success in the ring. He was also known for his ability to adjust to changes in the sport and to stay relevant over a long period of time.
What was their coaching philosophy?
Lou Duva’s coaching philosophy is centred on his passion for his fighters. He believed that in order to be in the sport of boxing you need a team that can teach you the sport first. He believed that being a good boxing coach was about the fighter having trust and confidence in the coach. He viewed himself as a motivator. Often yelling and gesturing at both the opposition and ring officials, his willingness to be confrontational became his calling card.
What unique technique did they teach?
Other than teaching his fighters the basics, such as having a quick, stiff jab, Lou Duva would have his fighters watch sparring and count the jabs or the punches that connected.
